Zoe Atkin leads Olympic halfpipe qualifying with 91.50 score

Zoe Atkin leads Olympic halfpipe qualifying

British freestyle skier Zoe Atkin qualified first for the women's halfpipe final at the Winter Olympics. Her top score of 91.50 on her first run puts her in prime position to win gold on Saturday.

Atkin, 23, is a two-time X Games champion and the reigning world champion. She will be the final athlete to drop in during the three-run final, which begins at 18:30 GMT.

Defending champion qualifies fifth after crash

China's Eileen Gu, the defending Olympic champion and Atkin's expected main rival, qualified in fifth place. Gu scored 86.50 after crashing on her first qualifying run.

Canada's Cassie Sharpe, the 2018 gold and 2022 silver medallist, qualified third. She was taken from the course on a stretcher after a heavy crash on her second run.

Atkin manages nerves for strong start

"I was pretty nervous coming into today," Atkin told BBC Sport. "Qualifying can be more nerve-wracking than finals as you only have two runs to put it down."

She said managing those feelings and landing her first run gives her confidence for the final. "It gives me confidence to know the judges like my skiing," she added.

Atkin's performance impressed judges with the height of her tricks above the 6.7m-high pipe. Her sister, Izzy Atkin—who won Britain's first Olympic skiing medal in 2018—was in attendance.

Weather disrupts men's qualifying schedule

Heavy snow in Livigno forced the postponement of the men's halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday. The event has been rescheduled for Friday morning at 09:30 GMT.

British skiers Gus Kenworthy and Liam Richards will compete in the men's qualification. The weather adds an unpredictable element to the competition schedule.

Atkin's background and Olympic journey

Zoe Atkin was born and raised in the United States to a British father and Malaysian mother. She has always competed for Great Britain.

This is her second Olympic appearance, having made her debut four years ago. Key facts about Atkin include:

• Age: 23
• Heritage: British father, Malaysian mother
• Major Titles: Two-time X Games champion, 2023 World Champion
• Olympic History: Competed in 2022, now qualified first for 2026 final

The women's halfpipe final will be a best-of-three runs contest. Atkin's top qualifying score and final drop position make her a favorite for the podium.